Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-21
INVESTIGATE IT.
Mr.. Berry, in this connection, oAere'

the following:
Resoired, That It is the sense Of Tho Senate
that the Committee on Privileges and Elections
proceed with the investigation OF the right OF
William NJ. Ellis 20 a seat In the Senate from the
fOurin senatorial dinuicL
Mr.. HUBBARD moved to pass the reso-
luton by. He did this on account Of
the absence Of Mr.. Houston, who had
been called to his home by IA telegram
announcing an accident at his works
which needed his personal experience.
He subsequently withdrew bis motion,
having been so advised 10y friends.
Mr.. Blackstone, member OF the COM
mittee. who voted against opening the
contest, opposed the resolution in an ar
gument of some length and much force.
He held that the statutory provision
was mandatory, aud read from the State
Constitution different extracts TO show
that contest was not contemplated TO be
made under such circumstances as at
tended the case under consideration.
Mr.. Blackstone claimed that for the
Senate to open this case would be with
out precedent and would render uncer-
tain the occupancy by any senator OF the
seat to which he was elected. He pOlitl-
cally was very sorry that Mr.. Houston
had been elected, but since he had been
and no legal contest for his seat had been
made, the speaker would not give his
vote for the investigation unless greater
and stronger argument was brought TO
bear on him.
Mr.. Williams looked upon this as a
grave matter. and he thought it best to
have all of the papers presented in the
case printed. In some respects he was
inclined to agree with what MIR. Black
stone had said, but he held that the pro-
vision of the Code was only directory
and not mandatory. He wanted the
papers printed, and moved that the mat
ter be passed by for this purpose.
Mr.. Blackstone suggested that it be
made the special order for Friday, Jan
uary 9th, at o'clock, and Mr.. Williams
asked Mr.. Berry if this was agreeable to
him.
This gentleman replied that it made
little difference with him what course the
resolution took, but the question was A
very simple one, and he saw no reason
why it should not be voted for without
further delay. He said the plain propo-
sition was whether the act of the Legis-
lature was more binding than the Con-
stitution, which provides that each
branch of the General Assembly shall be
the sole Judge of the qualification and
election of its members.
ELECTION OF SENATOR.
Mr.. Berry was speaking to the resolu-
ton when the hour OF o'clock, fixed
for the election OF United States senator,
arrived. Mr.. Hurt informed the House
that the Senate was ready on its part to
proceed with the execution OF the joint
order. and a similar message was re-
ceived from the House. Despite the ex-
IRENE inclemency OF the weather there
were large number OF ladies present to
hear the speeches.
BARBOUR NOMINATED.
Nominations being declared in order,
Mr.. Koiner, of Augusta, the oldest
member OF the Senate, arose and said:
Mr.. Prcsldent,-We come now 70 the discharge
Of one of our most responsible trusts under the
Constitution and laws Ia behalf OF the STATE Of
Virginia--the election 81 a senator.
The Senate Of the United States Is designed IA
be the great cOnserYatOr in our Federal system
Of government, composed Of the representative
OF the sovereign States, In their political and
corporate autonomy. as well as Federal relations
The senate Us invested WITH Co e'd.nate powers
with the House Of RePresenN tiyes N legislation,
with only n few exceptions. IL Is the oon-tltu-
tinnsl adviser Of the President Of the United
States I'm all his most Important transactions
| Without the ADVICE and consent OF the Senate
the Executive cannot proceed IN the appoint
ment OF the higher officials IN the various de-
partnents Of The Government and ambassadors
abroad, The confirmation Of the Senate must b
secured. by and with the advice aud consent
OF the Senate ionlyl the President may make
treaties.p IL not only harmoniJusy and beanli.
/ fully blends these executive and Legislative
/ powers hut Is also Invested, In certain cases
win tudi,ial authority, even 10 the trial under
/ tmpaachmnnt Of the Highest officers Of the Gov.
ernInent and from whose decision there IS no ap-
peal. -,
acope AZ ais mowers. exercises Legislative execu-
tive. and judicial functions Of tho most respon-
sibie nhti,ro. involving the peace. safety, and
/ honor III the Government, and all tho people VI
| the United states.
Our action today uor majority OF ono will
/ decide) may affect the. destiny OF our beloved
4 country In the unfried future. We are c0ntribu,
| ling 10 the history OF the greatest republic Of
modern times: whose colossal proportiona